Melbourne’s Armenian-Lebanese eatery Zareh named Gourmet Traveller’s restaurant of the year

Zareh, an Armenian-Lebanese eatery in Melbourne, has earned the prestigious title of Gourmet Traveller's restaurant of the year. This win marks a significant moment, as the award has historically favored European-influenced fine-dining establishments. Zareh's success challenges this tradition, highlighting a broader evolution in Australia's culinary landscape.

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I guess it’s imposter syndrome because it’s not fine dining, but we may be part of the new sort of scene that handles food [just] as well … but a bit more casual in their approach

The restaurant's menu is a vibrant fusion of Armenian, Egyptian, and Lebanese influences, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its co-owners, Tom Sarafian and Jinane Bou-Assi. Dishes feature ingredients sourced from across Australia, such as Egyptian flatbread made with local flour, raw lamb from Tasmania and Victoria for kafta nayyah, and hummus topped with spanner crab. Zareh, named after Sarafian's grandfather, opened its doors in Melbourne in August 2025.

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there’s a lot of really fantastic Arab restaurants in Australia

Sarafian expressed a sense of "imposter syndrome" given the restaurant's more casual approach compared to traditional fine dining, but acknowledged its place in a "new sort of scene that handles food [just] as well." He described the restaurant as "a love letter from us to Lebanon, who opened their arms and their country to Armenia and went so beautifully to let us in... It’s a cross-cultural celebration."

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Referencing the Armenian genocide, Sarafian said the restaurant was “a love letter from us to Lebanon, who opened their arms and their country to Armenia and went so beautifully to let us in … It’s a cross-cultural celebration.”

At the awards ceremony in Sydney, the theme of Australia's migrant history shaping the dining scene was prominent. Beppi's, a 70-year-old Italian restaurant, received the "enduring excellence" award, with owner Marc Polese dedicating it to immigrants who enrich the industry. Best new talent winners Saavni Krishnan and Aditya Suresh of Melbourne's Saadi celebrated their award as recognition for their "modern Indian" food, aiming to showcase the cuisine beyond typical curries. "Big" Sam Young, named restaurant personality of the year, shared his journey from an immigrant kitchen hand to a successful restaurateur, emphasizing the privilege of being recognized in the industry.

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There’s been a lot of bad words said about immigrants lately in politics, and I just want to acknowledge those immigrants that have made our industry possible – my dad being one of them.